Overview
During his career, Michael has handled a variety of matters, from complex real estate dealings to insurance fraud. He focuses his practice on providing counsel to entities on business matters ranging from industrial leasing to gaming.
Michael Donnelly is a Shareholder practicing in Butzel’s Troy office. He is a member of several bar associations and has served in numerous leadership positions. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Detroit Bar Association. He has also served in leadership positions in a number of professional organizations.
Mr. Donnelly has been recognized throughout his career in the areas of Commercial Litigation and Business Litigation by regional and national legal publications. He has authored and contributed to publications on the topics of Antitrust, Consumer Protection, and Landlord-Tenant Law.
Credentials
Education
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, J.D.
Michigan State University, B.A.
Admissions
- Michigan
- United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
- United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Memberships
- State Bar of Michigan – Antitrust, Franchising & Trade Regulation Section; Business Law Section; Litigation Section, former Chair, Chair-Elect, Secretary, Member Governing Council, and Treasurer
- Detroit Bar Association - Board of Directors
- Federal Bar Association – Pro Bono Committee, former Chair
Awards & Recognitions
Awards & Recognitions
Martindale Hubbell® - AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated
The Best Lawyers in America® - Commercial Litigation, 2025
Michigan Super Lawyers – Business Litigation, 2014-2024
Michigan Lawyers Weekly – Leaders in the Law, 2015
Leading Lawyers – Commercial Litigation, 2018, 2025
DBusiness – Top Lawyers - Commercial Litigation, 2013
BTI Client Service All-Star, 2011
Community & Professional
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Detroit – Board of Directors, former Member
Detroit Racquet Club – former Executive Board Member, President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary
Detroit Bar Association – Volunteer Lawyers Committee, former Member
Detroit Bar Association Foundation – Fellow
American Inns of Court – Detroit Chapter, former Master
Order of the Barristers
Michigan Business Law Journal - Staff
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law - Jerome Cavanaugh Scholarship – Recipient